How to find an independant homeowner's insurance agent?

16 years ago

How do I find one? I tried to get a lower rate for all our insurance with State Farm and it was a complete screw up! Now we can't get our first payment back even tho the insurance wasn't supposed to go into effect til June 1 and was canceled totally on May 29. We had one policy with them previously for a home we own and rent out. Now I want to find a different company.

I'm 100 miles away. How do I go about finding an independent that can take the facts and quote me from several different companies all at once?

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Comments (5)

sushipup1
16 years ago
What you want is a broker. But an independent broker won't be able to get you quotes for AllState, Farmers and other companies that sell only thru their franchise agents.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
16 years ago
But an independent broker won't be able to get you quotes for AllState, Farmers and other companies that sell only thru their franchise agents.
My insurance agency/agent, can give me quotes on Allstate as well as numerous companies.
You might check your Yellow Pages for an agent that lists several companies they sell for.

Sue
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davidro1
16 years ago
It is true that brokers often seem able to circumvent the closed systems that many companies have.

Many brokers have sufficient access to the information, so they can give the information necessary to appear they are also brokering for Company XYZ.

So, it is true that brokers can get quotes, or appear to be getting quotes.

To the OP: either web searching or through any other means, find a broker. Ask him/her what group, association, or whatever-they-call-it that he or she belongs to. Get that association. Contact them. Get a few more names from them.

Ask each broker which firms they send most of their business to. No matter how impartial they seem to be, with their quotes, they will ultimately find ways to send most of their customers to a small number of insurance carriers. One way or another, you will be channeled into a small number of good choices. They may all be good ones. But speak to another broker.

hth
joyfulguy
16 years ago
Got friends who've had substantial experience in the ways of the world and whose judgements you trust?

Especially if in the area where the property is situated, possibly, though sometimes brokers at a distance will give responsible service, as well.

Check with such people.

ole joyful
tracykelley1
16 years ago
I asked around in my circle and they led me to a few good insurance companies whom I checked on the net. Zeroed in on The Hartford for car and home insurance, 2 years ago; they seem to be fine so far.

How to find an independant homeowner's insurance agent?

Comments (5)

sushipup1

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

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